Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-06-23
GAMBLING IN NEW YORK.
HOW THE VER0ANT STRANGER is
LURED INTO A "HEt.L."

Various Devices by Which Money is
Won and Lost - The Genial Smile
and Winning Conversation of the
Roper In"
No one can obtain admittance to q first
class shell- unless he is introduced, and hence
the door is carefully guarded, but however
seclre they may be from legal interference
there is a danger of espionage Merchants
frequently find it important to watch their
clerks, and special detective might thus in
terfere with the interests of the institution
But introduction is not difficult to any one who
has money. Indeed, there are persons loung-
ing, and in some cases even boarding, at the
best hotels who are employed to lead strangers
to these places of ruin. These ''ropers i'm are
handsomely dressed and have that easy and
elegant way which marks the Scitizen
Of the worldH They notice the arrivals
and closely scan each newcomer, and
if any Of the latter exhibit any sign OF
wealth the net is at once spread First comes
the genial smile and the winning conversa-
ton. The roper in" is, of course, business
man and knows how to talk business. The
conversation then extends to the wonderful
sights offered by the metropolis, and perhaps
before another evening has passed the
stranger is ready to survey Broadway by gas
light. Most visitors are fond Of adventure,
which companion naturally renders more
attractive. They take an evening stroll, and
drink adds to the exhilaration of the walk.
They enter into the spirit of the hour and
converse on the mysterious world Of fast life
which all desire to see, as there is a strange
fascination overhanging the forbidden con-
fines of society. The stranger refers to these
things with hesitation, but is treasured when
hiscompanion shows how conversant he is
with the subject
After brief walk the roper in" stops be-
fore an elegant private house, remarking as
he does so: Il wish to call on a friend; you
will accompany meF Certainly" is the re-
ply, and after riEg at the door they enter
an elegant and spacious parlor, where gentle
men are enjoying the newspapers or eonver-
sation. Later on musical bell is heard, an
nouncing supper, and this dispels ali memory
of the friend who was to be seen. The @roper
in" intimates that they had better accept the
invitation, and they find in the next room
table glittering with silver plate and laden
with tempting dishes. In common with the
rest they enjoy the luxurious fare, and then
wine Is served, and all drink freely until the
when they adjourn to the room up stairs
NUMBER OF GENTLEMEN"
Here number of gentlemen" are playing
cards. and at the head of the room the clerk
is selling circular pieces of ivory or metal,
called "chips," each of which is stamped with
a value from IS up to S10O "You perceive"
says the decoy, "that we have entered the
temple of fortune. Some of the men before
US will before morning make thousands,
while others will lose. No one should play
who has not nerve enough to bear loss, and
If he bears it boldly it will come back again.
Fortune always favors the bold" The visi-
tor soon sees men who commenced with a
dozen chips go in little time to the desk with
fifty or 100 and change them into greenbacks,
and so, to try his luck, he ventures a IS bill
and wins. This surprises him, and he tries
again and again, and again wins. These
gains he puts at risk once more, and wins a
still larger sum. This stimulates him to an
other throw, and he loses. Perhaps" saws
the friend, fortune has ceased her favor.
Shall you stop here?" "One more, first, SAYS
the victim, and he wins. Another. and he
loses, and the next moment wins again
be now becomes more excited than ever
and continues the game. Indeed, it is almost
impossible to break off until the rooms are
closed at the approach of dawn. He settles
with the 'bank," as the proprietor is called.
and finds himself the winner by $50 This is
strange but pleasing experience, and as be
walks back to his hotel he is conscious of a
new and powerful appetite Having arrived
at his room he seeks rest in vain, but NAV at
least be able to dream of the bank and its
pile of wealth The next night he tries his
luck again with varied success and with still
deeper excitement, and thus he is led on, one
step at time, until he has reached a condi-
ton favorable for finishing his case, which is
then accomplished. 1t is not uncommon for
several pigeons to be plucl1ed at the same
house and at the same tiIae Concerning
these decoys, it may be said that they are in
many cases polished gentlemen They are
well paid, the rate, of course, depending on
their success. Thus, if 5000 be won from
one Of their dupes, the ''roper in" should ex-
pect at least $500. This he is not expected to
keep. Indeed, it is probable that his love of
gaming will soon lead him to lose this at the
hands of some more adroit master of the art.
After the roper in" has got too old and
shaky for his trade he is turned Off to shift
for hirnself.-New York Cor. Troy Times.